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LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly already planned his Formula One retirement.
The seven-time world champion will join up with Ferrari from next season on a multi-year £100million contract.
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SplashHamilton announced his shock switch to the Italian giants in February.
The 39-year-old has been with Mercedes since 2013 after a move from McLaren.
Hamilton said earlier this year: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.”
The Brit driver will race for Ferrari in 2025 and 2026, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
Author Matt Whyman, who has written a book on the history of Mercedes, spoke with Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari switch.
And he claims the Stevenage native has a “very clear plan” on when he will step away from racing.
Whyman told The Mirror: “I asked him directly what was going on and he just said, ‘It is every kid’s dream who gets involved in motor racing to race a Ferrari, and that is it – I did not want to get to the end of my career and look back and go, what if?’
“He says he knows when the end of his career will be, he has got this very clear plan ahead of him.
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“He said it is really meaningful to him, the fact that he has won all these races with Mercedes and he has been on this journey.
“The one thing he had not done and he just thought, ‘I do not want to walk away and go, I wish I had done that’.”
Hamilton has racked up 105 wins in F1 since making his debut way back in 2007.
He admitted earlier this season he “will know” when it’s finally time to step out of the car.
Asked if he had a timeframe for retirement by Esquire, he said: “I definitely do.
“There are days I’m like, shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.
“I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things.
Inside track on Hamilton's life
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One's most prolific winner.
The British speedster lives life in the fast lane both on and off the track, with a string of high-profile romances and jet-set lifestyle.
Hamilton made his name at McLaren and Mercedes but stunned the racing world by signing a £100million deal to join Ferrari for next season.
His exploits have seen him rub shoulders with Hollywood icon Brad Pitt but Lew snubbed the chance to feature in Top Gun 2.
And fans can follow his fortunes on the latest season of Netflix’s smash hit Drive To Survive.
Hamilton’s talent saw him go from humble origins in Stevenage to boasting an £11m car collection.
He joined celeb dating app Raya after splitting from Brazilian beauty Juliana Nalu.
And his exes are said to include Rita Ora, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger.
Hamilton was embroiled in a bitter feud with Nico Rosberg but the pair buried the hatchet to sport £35k watches they were given for FREE.
He also shared high-profile battles with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
But his most shocking showdown saw Max Verstappen handed the World Championship over him by a controversial safety car decision.
The Brit is chasing a record eighth world title – the first of which came in 2008 and has seen Felipe Masa sue F1 for £62m after a crash saw him miss out.
Check out all our Lewis Hamilton articles here.
“I’m very much about sequencing, like looking at brands that I collaborate with, companies that I’m essentially starting, how I manage my time between all those, and how I’m able to dedicate myself to this job still.
“Is there a time when I’m not all in and I’m just not in love with it anymore?
“That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.
“But I will know when I need to stop.”
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